 |
     |
 |
|
|
IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals, Grand Bend, Ont.
|
 |
|
The
latest results from the fourth stop on the 2004 IHRA Hooters Drag
Racing Series
|
By Bobby Bennett |
| Our photo gallery is at Grand Bend Photos SUNDAY - Thomas and Millican remain undefeated; Stott and Morton claim first wins of the season
(6-13-2004) – Funny Car racer Mark Thomas and his Top Fuel counterpart Clay Millican left the Grand Bend Motorplex with their driving records in 2004 unblemished. The multi-time champions claimed their fourth wins of the season in as many outings during the fifth annual IHRA Mopar Parts Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ont. Joining Thomas and Millican in the winner’s circle for the fourth stop on the twelve race tour was Quain Stott (Pro Modified) and first-time winner Elijah Morton (Sunoco Pro Stock). In winning Funny Car, Thomas admittedly felt that his success of the season was not going to be readily welcomed by the spectators that largely support hometown racer Rob Atchison, the defending IHRA Hooters Funny Car World Champion from London, Ontario. Thomas, a five-time World Champion, extended his points lead when Atchison fouled. The victory for Thomas was his most dominating effort thus far in 2004. His success began early when he established low elapsed time of the event in qualifying atop the sixteen-car field. “When we nailed down the top spot on Saturday we took a different route down the return road behind the grandstands,” Thomas said with a smile. “Number one…I didn’t want my kids to pick up on any new words and two…I didn’t want to dodge any beer bottle that might fly our way. We took that route all weekend.
“A lot of people were real happy for us now. I was confident because we had drilled Rob a few times that he might become his worst enemy. He’s a great guy and a great racer and I won’t take anything away from him.” Thomas scored his 22nd career victory at the expense of Mark Etter, Ronnie Midyette and Terry Munroe before meeting Atchison. For his part, Atchison entered eliminations second quickest and drove around Paul Zgoda, Scott Wildgust and Jeff Burnett to reach the final round. Millican, the winningest professional driver in IHRA Hooters Drag Racing history, extended his vast Top Fuel resume with win #34 as he defeated Tim Cullinan in the final round. Millican retains an undefeated streak at the Grand Bend Motorplex dating back to the final round of the 2001 event. Millican nearly crossed the centerline in winning the semis.
“I thought to myself, ‘so what if we don’t run 4.50s,” added Millican. “I just wanted to run a clean race and do the best I could. I needed to do that after the semi-final round when I went out there and tried to give it away. It’s an old habit of mine when I bracket race…to look over and see if anyone is there.” As convincing as Millican’s wins have been in 2004, one would wonder at what point he would expect to see anyone alongside of him. This marked the fourth time he’s won from the pole position. The victory was set up by wins over Rick Cooper and Todd Paton. Cullinan enjoyed a good day of competition from the second seeding in final eliminations. He defeated John Sipple and Bruce Litton to reach the final round. Stott, the older of two siblings in the Pro Modified division, captured his sixth career national event by stopping Harold Martin in the final round. This was the first victory for a supercharged car since the rules revision that was enforced one race last month. The LeeBoy-sponsored driver from Inman, SC., has now won two out of three national events contested in Canada. Stott has never won a national event with a supercharged engine inside the United States. Just to think, one race ago was the first time that he’d ever run his car with the 20% overdrive. Stott obtained the necessary pulleys and belts the day qualifying began. “We thought we had a handle on it in Virginia,” explained Stott. “It was amazing because we didn’t have any test time with it before the change and no time in between. It worked out perfect for us.”
Just one race earlier, Stott’s teammate Paul Athey suffered an untimely crash and that demanded a complete team effort prior to Grand Bend. Stott entered eliminations as the sixth quickest. He defeated three of the top four points runners as he outran Al Billes, Mike Janis and brother Mitch Stott. Martin made it to the finals by beating Carl Spiering, Mick Stawicki and Shannon Jenkins. Morton scored his first career IHRA Sunoco Pro Stock victory at the expense of defending World Champion Brian Gahm. The Jacksonville, NC-based driver entered eliminations as the second quickest qualifier. Morton’s first national event victory came back in 1998 as a Top Sportsman driver. It also served as his first career national event outing. “We’ve been in the finals a few times and fell short,” explained Billes. “I have a good crew and they made this victory happen today. Everything fell into place and I couldn’t be any happier than I am today.” Tuned by Gary Henry, the noted crewchief for Gene Wilson’s 2001 Sunoco Pro Stock championship run, Morton was on his game all day as he defeated Dwayne Rice, Frank Gugliotta and Rick Jones to reach the finals. Gahm’s march to the final round came at the expense of Tony Gillig, Mike Bell and John Montecalvo. The event on the Hooters Drag Racing tour is July 2 – 4, when the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals rolls into Edmonton, Alberta.
Sportsman Finals
TOP FUEL: ROUND ONE -- Todd Paton, 5.406, 267.45 def. Doug Foley, 5.429, 221.02; Bruce Litton, 4.953, 249.44 def. Bobby Lagana Jr, broke; Tim Cullinan, 4.839, 308.21 def. John Sipple, 5.458, 190.31; Clay Millican, 4.732, 295.56 def. Rick Cooper, 5.036, 243.44; SEMIFINALS -- Cullinan, 4.829, 310.98 def. Litton, 4.820,
298.50; Millican, 4.756, 293.44 def. FINAL -- Millican, 4.744, 299.90 def. Cullinan, foul.
ROUND ONE -- Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 6.266, 223.71 def. Rick Distefano, Chevy Corvette, 6.304, 218.39; Mitch Stott, Corvette, 6.292, 222.77 def. Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro, 12.979, 68.97; Von Smith, Ford Mustang, 6.251, 226.81 def. Tom Carter, Corvette, 8.601, 103.99; Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.282, 223.43 def. Carl Spiering, Corvette, foul; Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.360, 223.82 def. Al Billes, Corvette, 6.369, 222.00; Mike Janis, Corvette, 6.335, 223.10 def. Ed Hoover, Corvette, 9.899, 105.46; Mike Stawicki, Corvette, 6.337, 221.89 def. Zach Barklage, Grand Am, 6.506, 222.00; Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.331, 215.20 def. Glen Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.405, 218.60; QUARTERFINALS -- M. Stott, 6.342, 223.04 def. Smith, 15.825, 54.48; Martin, 6.262, 223.88 def. Stawicki, 11.481, 74.25; Jenkins, 6.295, 222.60 def. Harper, 19.301, 37.52; Q. Stott, 6.306, 226.64 def. Janis, 6.380, 222.05; SEMIFINALS -- Q. Stott, 6.336, 225.79 def. M. Stott, 6.344, 222.33; Martin, 6.326, 222.99 def. Jenkins, 13.130, 70.00; FINAL -- Q. Stott, 6.344, 225.33 def. Martin, 6.389, 222.60.
ROUND ONE -- Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.815, 231.48 def. Mike Etter, Pontiac Firebird, 6.193, 225.90; Rob Atchison, Firebird, 5.902, 237.84 def. Paul Zgoda, Oldsmobile Achieva, 6.327, 225.16; Jeff Burnett, Firebird, 5.924, 235.10 def. Trevor Lebsack, Ford Mustang, 6.741, 147.88; Terry Munroe, Firebird, 12.752, 70.64 def. Paul Noakes, Mustang, broke; Chris Foster, Avenger, 6.022, 230.71 def. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 6.142, 231.95; Ronnie Midyette, Chevy Camaro, 6.037, 232.85 def. Larry Dobbs, Chevy Corvette, foul; Scott Wildgust, Firebird, 6.098, 234.86 def. Lance Van Hauen, Firebird, 6.074, 226.35; John Evanchuk, Firebird, 5.904, 235.84 def. Chris Sipple, Camaro, 6.093, 225.28; QUARTERFINALS -- Thomas, 5.970, 229.06 def. Midyette, 5.993, 236.03; Atchison, 5.963, 237.21 def. Wildgust, 6.028, 235.35; Burnett, 5.926, 224.88 def. Foster, 6.129, 228.31; Munroe, 6.022, 215.62 def. Evanchuk, 6.142, 228.07; SEMIFINALS -- Thomas, 5.911, 236.34 def. Munroe, 5.999, 234.74; Atchison, 5.940, 236.34 def. Burnett, 5.920, 234.43; FINAL -- Thomas, 5.917, 238.79 def. Atchison, foul.
ROUND ONE -- John Montecalvo, Chevy Cavalier, 6.561, 211.71 def. Pete Berner, Ford Mustang, 6.597, 210.03; Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.546, 211.61 def. Steve Spiess, Cavalier, 6.563, 211.36; Rick Jones, Dodge Stratus, 6.539, 211.46 def. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.596, 211.31; Mike Bell, Ford ZX2, 6.571, 211.06 def. Ron Miller, Cavalier, 6.640, 209.15; Brian Gahm, Mustang, 6.562, 210.82 def. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.575, 210.28; Larry O'Brien, Stratus, 6.626, 209.44 def. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.565, 210.28; Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.568, 211.11 def. Dwayne Rice, Cavalier, 6.592, 209.83; John Nobile, Escort, 6.550, 211.61 def. Mike Del Nagro, Cavalier, 6.620, 209.15; QUARTERFINALS -- Gahm, 6.580, 210.47 def. Bell, 6.782, 176.74; Montecalvo, 6.595, 210.87 def. Nobile, 6.601, 211.61; Morton, 6.612, 210.18 def. Gugliotta, 8.176, 123.83; Jones, 6.579, 210.77 def. O'Brien, 6.663, 208.86; SEMIFINALS -- Gahm, 6.583, 210.32 def. Montecalvo, 6.582, 211.21; Morton, 6.551, 210.82 def. Jones, 6.572, 210.72; FINAL -- Morton, 6.557, 210.67 def. Gahm, 6.613, 209.69.
SUNDAY NOTES – Fickle weather, Inspired Funny Car racers and O’Brien’s monumental Canadian Pro Stock achievement…
Quote of the event - "Pro Modified all came out of the outlaw deal where you run whatcha brung. Now its run whatcha brung as long as you didn't brung more than the nitrous cars." - Al Billes as quoted in the Saturday edition of the London Free Press. Did you know? – There was a Stock eliminator connection to the Top Fuel World Champion Clay Millican. In the semi-finals, Jim Bailey met up with Michael Beard. Bailey was the last drag racer to beat Millican at Grand Bend. Beard’s connection? He was the IHRA webmaster responsible for posting the story proclaiming Bailey’s victory. Rain, Rain, Go Away – The weather has been a fickle monster for tuners for Sunday’s first round of eliminations. Sunday began overcast with threatening rain and cool temperatures. In fact, the first round was delayed by a brief sprinkle of rain. The track temperature increased from 80-degrees to 97 from the start of the first round to the start of the second. Prior to the semis, the track was 109-degrees. .0001 - That represented the margin of victory in the third round of Quick Rod between Ed Hoyt and Ed Toolis. Hoyt was the winner. Inspiration – It seems that Funny Car racers Mark Thomas and Rob Atchison have plenty of inspiration when it comes to racing in front of one another’s homeland. For Thomas, he managed a tremendous qualifying performance at the Mopar Canadian Nationals by taking the top qualifying position. Just two weeks ago, Atchison traveled south of the border and scored the top spot in Virginia qualifying. Reportedly, Atchison fans had purchased a healthy portion of tickets for one particular section of grandstand. That was enough for Thomas to alter the route of his tow back to his pits following the 5.815 low elapsed time. “I just didn’t want to take the chance that one of them might not have appreciated our run,” Thomas joked. Canadian Racing Beverage – Root Beer might just be the Canadian racing beverage, at least in the French-speaking areas. Root Beer = Racinette. Millican memories – It all started for Clay Millican at the Grand Bend Motorplex for the winningest professional driver in IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series competition. In the four years since that first victory, Millican has captured 31 national event victories. Oh Canada – Todd Paton has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during his visit to Canada. On his final session, an oil line leak created one of the worst Top Fuel fires ever witnessed in IHRA competition. The team never let the misfortune get the best of them as they roared back the next day to record his first round win since the season-opener in San Antonio, Texas. Oh Canada, Again – Larry O’Brien pleased both the event sponsors and the homeland contingent in one fell swoop. O’Brien, driving one of two Mopars in the Sunoco Pro Stock division, took out Ford runner Robert Patrick in the first round on a holeshot. O’Brien’s victory signaled the first Canadian Sunoco Pro Stock round victory of the season. The win also set up an all Mopar quarter-final match against Rick Jones. Jones won.
SATURDAY - Millican No. 1 Qualifier at Mopar Canadian Nationals
(6-12-2004) - Clay Millican qualified No. 1 for the fourth time of the season Saturday during the 5th annual Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol. The Drummonds, Tennessee-native used his Friday night 4.658 ET to hold the top spot. Other No. 1 qualifiers include Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., (Pro Modified); Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, (Funny Car); and John Nobile, Dix Hills, N.Y., (Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock). During the final round of Top Fuel qualifying, Millican ran a 4.679,
318.80, nearly resetting
Pro Modified saw three different low qualifiers throughout the
weekend and Jenkins, a former In the final Funny Car qualifying round, Thomas, who entered the
day in the twelfth spot, jumped to No. 1 with a 5.831 ET and bumped
London, Ontario-resident Rob Atchison to the second position. Jeff
Burnett qualified third, followed by Terry Munroe and from Edmonton,
Alberta, John Evanchuk. Thomas and Atchison, currently first and
second in the point standings, could again meet in the final round.
Mike Etter, of Brantford, Ontario, is qualified No. 16, with a Nobile failed to improve on his Friday night time of 6.493, 211.96,
but it was still good enough Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. for the Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex. Final round is scheduled for 5 p.m. First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the Fifth annual Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex, the fourth of 12 events in the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. Top Fuel -- 1. Clay Millican, 4.658 seconds,
318.80 mph vs. 8. Rick Cooper, 5.001, Pro Modified -- 1. Shannon Jenkins, Chevy Camaro,
6.221, 221.29 vs. 16. Glen Kerunsky, Funny Car -- 1. Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.831,
236.96 vs. 16. Mike Etter, Pontiac Pro Stock -- 1. John Nobile, Ford Escort, 6.493,
213.57 vs. 16. Mike Del Nagro, Chevy |
 |
| There's nothing like a Top Fuel picnic table match race to start off the day. |
Now that's an oildown - One unfortunate Top Fuel team suffered an oildown so extensive during the first pair of dragsters down the track in Saturday's evening session that it delayed qualifying for a little over an hour.
Be the Ball – Rick Cooper has loved golf as long as he’s loved drag racing. In fact, he hopes to make a living doing both in the next few years. For Cooper, the journey to Top Fuel and professional golfer began at age 14.
After many years in golf, Cooper began to pursue a serious involvement in drag racing by attending Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to pursue the Alcohol Dragster course. During the off-season, Cooper took the initial steps to form his own Funny Car team.
That was the plan until Cooper met David Stevens via the Internet. The two formed an alliance and Cooper soon found himself licensing for a Top Fuel car. He’s had the time of his life in qualifying for two of the first three events of the season.
Cooper has never forgotten his days as a kid of longing to go to the drag races. That’s why he has created a special contest for Junior Dragster drivers that will enable them to become a special crewmember for the day. The lucky winners get to not only work on the car, but also get to go to the starting line with the team.
Junior Dragster participants can enter the competition by logging onto www.juniordragstersplus.com.
 |
| If you don't have a screwdriver don't worry. A Canadian Loonie will serve as a good Dzus fastener. |
Canadian Currency Tips for Dummies – Most Americans have heard of Loonies ($1 coin) and Toonies ($2), but when visiting the Grand Bend Motorplex keep in mind their valuable uses. If you’re thirsty, a Toonie will be enough to purchase a soda from the machine in front of the ticket office. If you have a Loonie, Monty Bogan, Sr., father of GM Performance Parts Top Stock racer Monty, Jr., has the perfect use. He holds onto his single Loonie as a Dzus fastening tool.
Next-generation Benso – It took sometime, but Leawood,
KS.-based Sunoco Pro Stock racer Kenny Benso finally got a motor.
This was not just your average motor, either. Benso is breaking
in one of the Next Generation Chevrolet engines from Sonny Leonard
at Sonny’s Racing Engines. The engine has served as an equalizing
factor in 2004 for the Chevrolet Sunoco Pro Stock teams, who were
winless in 2003.
Benso, although he failed to make the cut in the second-quickest Sunoco Pro Stock field ever, was able to note the difference in the new engine that is based on a Hemi design.
“It certainly has a lot of power,” explained Benso, who was making his first appearance this season. “I could tell at the hit. We have some other things we need to work out, but once we do…this thing is gonna fly.”
Benso is one of the handful of drivers currently running a Cavalier that plan to run a new Cobalt in 2005.
 |
| By Saturday afternoon, there was no seats to be found. |
Canadian Cuisine – The Americans traveling across the border are getting a lesson in cuisine. In case you get the idea to make the trip in the near future. Keep the following in mind. Smarties are the Canadian equivalent to M&M’s. If you like corndogs, they may be called “pogos.” If one sees a “back bacon sandwich,” it is what Americans consider to be a ham sandwich.
By all means, when you go to Burger King, order your French fries with gravy.
Continual learning curve for Castellana –
Mike Castellana, recent winner at Virginia Motorsports Park, has
admittedly discovered a problem that has sent his team into test
mode. The power curve for his nitrous entries, both the one he drives
and his teammate/crewchief Shannon Jenkins, is creating such a problem
that they are continually in testing mode to resolve the problems.
Castellana and Jenkins are gaining horsepower through their constant tinkering with the engines and that is prompting continual refinements to the chassis’ of each car in order to transfer the power to the ground. However, there’s one problem. What’s applicable on one doesn’t apply to the other.
Castellana’s Western Beef Camaro is the same one that Jenkins drove to the 2002 championship and has proven to be the more consistent of the two. According to him, they finally found their groove with his car after two years of competition. The problem is not so much the increase of horsepower, but the extra torque that it produces.
As for the blue Speedtech Camaro that Jenkins pilots, they are still learning what the chassis wants. The demands are continually changing.
Castellana has not tried the MSD ignition system that some compare to a traction control device. Don’t expect them to try it anytime soon, either.
“That takes away horsepower,” explained Castellana. “At this point, we need all we can get.”
Jenkins went from unqualified status to #1 qualifier in the final session.
 |
| John Waldie never meets a stranger when it comes to drag racing and life in general. |
As fate would have it – Just one race removed from an exchange of words at the top end between Pro Modified racers Von Smith and Steve Vick, the two were paired in qualifying. This time the two ran a good clean match and nothing was said at the top end this time.
He’s Waldie. He knows everyone – That’s
the conclusion one would draw if they strolled through the pits
with Canadian auto dealer John Waldie of Stratford, Ontario. Waldie,
who has 41-years of experience working in drag racing, started racing
at age 16 with veteran Top Dragster runner Jim McCann and Kenny
Lee, co-crewchief for NHRA Pro Stock veteran Ron Krisher.
Waldie’s most successful attribute is not in being a successful auto dealer, nor is it in being one of the directors of the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame. His greatest asset is in never meeting a stranger.
“I’ve really enjoyed this sport and the people it has involved,” explained Waldie. “This is quite a remarkable sport. It’s the only sport that the locker room is continually open to the public. Drag racing will grow incredibly in the next decade.”
As for the never meeting a stranger, it’s rumored that Waldie has developed relationships with someone from every continent in the world except for Africa.
Waldie laughs when he adds, “A friend of mine just retired and bought his wife a school in Africa, so you never know.”
 |
| Ron Biekx got the call to bring his AA/FA out to make exhibition runs. Biekx is the track manager for Grand Bend Motorplex. |
The difference in 5% overdrive – If you’re a Pro Modified fan and you were wondering what difference the 5% reduction overdrive created for the supercharged entries, Fred Hahn was the low qualifier in Rockingham. In their next outing, which was this weekend, he failed to make the show.
Hometown ride – Sometimes racing at home can be a two-edged sword. It can be a great experience or it can be very stressful. Grand Bend Motorplex manager Ron Biekx has discovered that to be a very accurate statement. One week before his national event was to begin, Biekx, a part-time Fuel Altered driver, was given the opportunity to fill in for Mike Fazer. Fazer destroyed the body on his Fuel Altered a week earlier while making runs in Norwalk, Ohio.
Biekx knew he was going to be pressed for time in preparing the track, so he called upon his crew. They worked tirelessly to prepare the car in two days. He made his first run on Friday and nipped a piston.
Unfortunately for Biekx, he wounded his motor on Saturday and it oiled the track. For him, that’s the worst thing a track operator could ever do.
“It’s ten times worse if I do it than any other racer
out there,” explained Biekx. “The track operator tends
to get more dirty looks. It really makes the Natives restless.”
 |
FRIDAY - Atchison Leads IHRA Funny Car Qualifying at 5th Annual Mopar Canadian Nationals
 |
| Rob Atchison gave the Canadian fans plenty to cheer for following the first qualifying session. |
(6-11-2004) - Rob Atchison led first day Funny Car qualifying Friday at Grand Bend Motorplex during the 5th annual Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol. Atchison, of London, Ontario, ran the quarter-mile in 5.856 seconds at 240.57 mph to take the top spot.
Other No. 1 qualifiers include Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., (Top Fuel); Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., (Pro Modified); and John Nobile, Dix Hills, N.Y., (Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock).
Defending Funny Car world champion Atchison is followed by Jeff Burnett, Terry Munroe and Ronnie Midyette. Points leader Mark Thomas is in the fourteenth spot.
Atchison earned his first career win at this track in 2003, the first of six total wins that season resulting in his world championship. He is running a two-team operation this weekend with John Evanchuk, of Edmonton, Alberta, who is qualified fifth.
In Top Fuel, Millican holds the top spot, with a 4.658-second run at 304.25 mph. If he remains No. 1, this will be his fourth of the season. He is trailed by Doug Foley, Paris, Ontario's Todd Paton and John Sipple.
 |
| Mike Janis was the provisional leader of Pro Modified qualifying. |
Janis leads the Pro Modified class with a 6.231, 228.89. Harold Martin is second, followed by Billy Harper and Calgary, Alberta's Rick Distefano fourth. Current points leader Al Billes, of Barrie, Ontario, is fifth. Billes won this event last season.
Current Sunoco Pro Stock points leader Nobile, fresh off his world record-setting weekend in Richmond, Va., two weeks ago, used a 6.493 ET to take the No. 1 position over defending world champion Brian Gahm. Rick Jones is third and Elijah Morton fourth. Larry O'Brien, of Lakeshore, Ontario, is currently sixth with a 6.546. Chuck DeMory holds the No. 16 spot with a 6.608 ET.
Qualifying resumes Saturday at 2 p.m. for the 5th annual Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex. The final round of qualifying is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with final eliminations Sunday.
Results Friday after qualifying for the Fifth annual Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol at Grand Bend Motorplex, fourth of 12 events in the 2004 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Clay Millican, 4.658 seconds, 304.25
mph; 2. Doug Foley, 4.838, 293.25; 3. Todd Paton, 4.940, 237.84;
4. John Sipple, 4.987, 290.22; 5. Rick Cooper, 5.001, 242.84; 6.
Louie Allison, 5.018, 263.54; 7. Tim Cullinan, 5.188, 215.87; 8.
Bruce Litton, 6.820, 125.52; 9. Chris Karamesines, 10.016, 71.97;
10. Bobby Lagana Jr, 11.804, 71.96.
Pro Modified -- 1. Mike Janis, Chevy Corvette, 6.231, 228.89;
2. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.259, 224.27; 3. Billy Harper,
Dodge Viper, 6.260, 223.76; 4. Rick Distefano, Corvette, 6.262,
223.21; 5. Al Billes, Corvette, 6.277, 226.75; 6. Tom Carter, Corvette,
6.300, 222.44; 7. Zach Barklage, Grand Am, 6.308, 225.84; 8. Glen
Kerunsky, Chevy Bel Air, 6.311, 223.21; 9. Quain Stott, Corvette,
6.314, 220.64; 10. Eddie Ware, Willys, 6.315, 219.56; 11. Mitch
Stott, Corvette, 6.317, 224.04; 12. Mike Castellana, Chevy Camaro,
6.359, 219.67; 13. Mike Lockwood, Corvette, 6.377, 218.92; 14. Shannon
Jenkins, Camaro, 6.408, 221.29; 15. Carl Spiering, Corvette, 6.412,
217.97; 16. Mike Stawicki, Corvette, 6.426, 221.67.
Funny Car -- 1. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird,
5.856, 240.57; 2. Jeff Burnett,
Firebird, 5.880, 234.55; 3. Terry Munroe, Firebird, 5.949, 236.77;
4. Ronnie Midyette, Chevy Camaro, 5.966, 233.46; 5. John Evanchuk,
Firebird, 6.013, 234.74; 6. Lance Van Hauen, Pontac Firebird, 6.045,
229.24; 7. Chris Sipple, Camaro, 6.058, 225.45; 8. Larry Dobbs,
Chevy Corvette, 6.061, 230.29; 9. Scott Wildgust, Firebird, 6.087,
210.23; 10. Paul Noakes, Ford Mustang, 6.108, 236.22; 11. Paul Zgoda,
Olds Achieva, 6.299, 227.50; 12. Trevor Lebsack, Mustang, 6.458,
200.75; 13. Steve Schrans, Firebird, 8.698, 93.78; 14. Mark Thomas,
Dodge Avenger, 9.077, 96.58; 15. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 10.711,
84.01; 16. Chris Foster, Avenger, 11.644, 65.33.
Pro Stock -- 1. John Nobile, Ford Escort, 6.493,
211.96; 2. Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.523, 210.13; 3. Rick Jones,
Dodge Stratus, 6.524, 211.46; 4. Elijah Morton, Mustang, 6.531,
210.47; 5. Robert Patrick, Mustang, 6.540, 209.69; 6. Larry O'Brien,
Stratus, 6.546, 210.62; 7. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cavalier, 6.556,
210.97; 8. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.559, 209.74; 9. Ron Miller, Cavalier,
6.566, 208.81; 10. Mike Bell, Ford ZX2, 6.571, 210.87; 11. John
Konigshofer,
Mercury Cougar, 6.571, 209.79; 12. John Montecalvo, Cavalier, 6.584,
209.83; 13. Dwayne Rice, Cavalier, 6.592, 209.44; 14. Carl Baker,
Cougar, 6.593, 210.08; 15. Frank Gugliotta, Escort, 6.605, 210.82;
16. Chuck DeMory, Escort, 6.608, 209.39.
FRIDAY NOTES - Lawyer to the stars, Roger makes himself useful and what not to ask Nobile
 |
| Paul Cambria has his hands full on his 9-5 job, but drag racing provides a good diversion. |
So you’re a lawyer? – Paul Cambria admits that he’s been called a lot worse names. The Stock eliminator racer from Buffalo, NY., has been the lawyer to controversial publisher Larry Flynt for many years. In fact, if you’ve ever watched the movie “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” Cambria was the lawyer portrayed in the movie by actor Edward Norton.
Cambria has represented the rock group Marilyn Manson, rapper DMX and also the group organizing the Ozfest (a special concert featuring Ozzy Osbourne) when they were denied the opportunity the opportunity to bring their show to the New Jersey Meadowlands.
Cambria has been in drag racing since his teenage years. His father was in the automobile business and that had a profound effect on him. He started racing on the streets with a 409-powered Chevrolet, but once he got caught that came to a halt. Actually, he got caught and arrested. Cambria put things on hold when his Dad gave him no other choice. He went on to college and law school, he became interested in drag racing once again. His brother-in-law was drag racing and it didn’t take long for Cambria to get addicted again.
Cambria has found a home in Stock eliminator running a former Dan Fletcher Pontiac Firebird. He’s in his second season and has already won twice.
Transplant – Some suggest supercharged Pro Modified cars are nothing more than Funny Cars with doors. Scott Wildgust and tuner Darren Mayer put the saying to the test this weekend. The motor in Wildgust’s Funny Car is the same engine normally utilized by Aussie Troy Critchley in the AMS-sponsored ’41 Willys.
Roger’s engine delivery service – You may know CompetitionPlus.com’s Roger Richards as a talented photographer. Just days before the Grand Bend event, he took on another occupation. Richards, of Greer, SC., can now add an engine delivery service to his latest business venture. Just days before the event, Richards was hanging out in the e-zine’s chat room when regular visitor Joe Konigshofer dropped in. A conversation ensued and Konigshofer conveyed that he was preparing for the 15-hour, one way journey from Canada to Atlanta. Richards suggested that he could pick up the motor on his way to the event by going through Atlanta to Jon Kaase's shop. He did just that and on this rare occurrence the engine actually beat the car to the track. Richards added, “I made it through the border crossing in just a little over five minutes. The guard was a pretty young thing and I was disappointed because it was my best chance for a body cavity search.”
Incidentally, Konigshofer ended up 11th after the first day of qualifying with a 6.571, 209.79.
 |
| File this in the we've seen it all category - a Gremlin roadster. This neat ride is one of three campaigned by Bill and Connie Rudy. |
Roger's business endeavors, Pt. 2 - After showing GM Performance Parts Top Stock racer Bo Kenney a sequence of his wheelstanding Pontiac, he offered Richards compensation through his occupation. Kenney is a porno producer.
Kenney offered, "Send me those pics and I'll send you some porn."
There’s an idea – After their widely
publicized skirmishes this year, Mark Thomas offered the following
advice to his Canadian counterpart Rob Atchison who keeps suggesting
that his quick reactions are just guesses. Thomas explained, “If
I’m guessing like he says that I am; then maybe he needs to
start outguessing me.”
Top Stock Buybacks – The GM Performance Parts Top
Stock racers are taking advantage of the liberal rules afforded
them by the IHRA. They were put to the test at the last event when
winner Danny Byrd lost to Joe Aluise in the second round and found
himself re-instated when he became the quickest loser. The new rules
mandate that there can be no bye runs beyond the first round. As
fate would have it, Byrd beat Aluise in the rematch and went on
to win the event. The other challenge of recording the highest wheelstand
was put to the test on first day qualifying in Grand Bend. GM Performance
Parts Top Stock racer Larry Melville was the first casualty of the
wheelstand contest. His four-and-a-half foot wheelstand resulted
in a broken wheelie bar and a broken header.
 |
| If you need an engine delivered - call Roger Richards. The engine in Jon Konigshofer's Cougar was delivered to Canada and actually beat the team getting there. |
Memorializing Dad – Jeremy Trahan experienced one of the toughest days of his life two weeks ago at Virginia Motorsports Park during the IHRA ACDelco Nationals. Trahan, crewchief for Pro Modified racer Billy Harper, was given the bad news that his dad Bill Sanders, had been killed. Sanders, a veteran Super Gas racer, died from injuries sustained in a crash at Bowling Green, Ky.
Trahan flew home immediately to be with his family. He was back in action this weekend helping Harper to the third quickest lap in the first session.
“This is my tribute to him,” added Trahan. “He was a good man. All of the crew and fellow racers have all been great in offering their condolences. It’s been a hard thing to do, but I knew I needed to do it.”
Missing the K – Tony Gillig wants to clear up some confusion. His sponsors www.asscracing.com is not a group of plumbers as suggested by some. His sponsor actually stands for American Sports Car Service Center, which is a company acquired by his car owner Tim Huston. The company specializes in high-performance work on exotic sports cars.
“It looks like it ought to say ass cracking, but that’s not it,” Gillig laughs. “We joke about that and laugh quite a bit. The only thing it’s missing is the “k.”
 |
| Be careful of what you ask Sunoco Pro Stock racer John Nobile these days. |
The comraderie is gone? – One reporter found out the hard way what not to ask Sunoco Pro Stock points leader John Nobile. After hearing the interviews suggesting that Nobile and fellow New Yorker John Montecalvo are close friends, he inquired if Nobile was willing to help his former rival and longtime friend.
“Are you on crack?” Nobile exclaimed. “I ain’t helping nobody. You don’t see anyone over here helping me.”
Nobile’s tirade continued with a few more undecipherable and unprintable words. He did smile at the conclusion, though.
Nobile faced off with Montecalvo in the first two final rounds of the season and lost both races.
Nobile Assessment – “If I drove like
Greg Anderson, I’d be undefeated.” – Nobile, following
the tirade.
